The Chicago Blackhawks evened the Western Conference Final with the Los Angeles Kings at three games apiece, prevailing in a see-saw affair at the Staples Center Friday night. Chicago trailed midway through the final period but rallied to score a 4-3 Game 6 victory.

Patrick Kane came up with a huge night on the offensive end. Kaner wound up with a pair of goals, including the game-winner late in the game.

First Period-The action didn’t match the breakneck pace of Wednesday’s first overtime, though both teams pushed the tempo. Marian Hossa had the first serious chance of the game when he one-timed a pass from Jonathan Toews. Jonathan Quick stopped the attempt, however. Andrew Shaw had a good look at the net coming toward the right post a moment later but Slava Voynov got the puck off of his stick.Continue reading »

The Chicago Blackhawks put on a clinic in the third period of Game 6, much to the dismay of the St. Louis Blues. The Hawks ripped the hearts out of the Blues with a furious final 20 minutes, sending the Blues home to clean out their lockers with a 5-1 victory.

Chicago wins this Western Conference first-round series 4-2 and completed a sweep of St. Louis after falling two games behind the Blues. Duncan Keith helped pace the Hawks with a four-point afternoon as five different Blackhawks posted goals in the deciding game.Continue reading »

St. Louis’ Public Enemy #1 – Brent (Alphonse) Seabrook

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By Rich Lindbloom

Patrick (Joey bag o’donuts) Kane, leader of the renowned Chicago Outfit, and his associates prevailed in the 3rd overtime contest of this rather impolite Quarter Final Slug-athon. Kaner’s ICBM ripped into the twine behind Ryan Miller, puncturing the hopeful souls of the Blue’s faithful. As the clock approached midnight, their glass slippers were shattered into a thousand pieces.

Consequently, the Best-of-Seven series has now been reduced to a Best-of-Three series. Kaner was pretty much black magic all night long, slotting in with last year’s bunkmate’s, Tazer and Bickell. Coach Ken Hitchcock was none too pleased with the space and time Crazy 88’s had in Game Four. Continue reading »

After an absolute stellar performance from Corey Crawford on Monday night at the UC, it was time to bottle up that momentum and save it for a pivotal Game 4 also hosted by the Blackhawks. Crow made 34 saves to record his 2nd career playoff shutout in front of 22,000 strong. The absence of suspended defensemen Brent Seabrook was barely even noticeable.

The Hawks found a way to win on the backs of their strong defense, fearless power play and tremendous net minding. Now breathe with me. There is still a lot of hill left to climb in this series and most of it to be done without #7.Continue reading »

After a second heart-wrenching overtime loss in St. Louis, the Blackhawks find themselves down two games to none in a series that could easily be 1-1 or two games to none in the ‘Hawks advantage.

There were times in Saturday’s Game 2, much like the first game, where the Hawks looked listless and others where they looked dominant. I suppose this could have been prophesied as they looked rather lethargic to end the season.

1st period: On the scoreboard the 1st period went to the Blues easily. The Hawks actually out-shot St Louis 11-9 but ended the first period down 2-0.Continue reading »

The Chicago Blackhawks offered a national audience a dominating performance Saturday night. In a snowy Stadium Series contest against the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Hawks used a big night from Jonathan Toews and a strong penalty kill to defeat the Penguins 5-1 at Soldier Field.

First Period-The teams labored in the snow for most of the first few minutes until Simon Despres was called for tripping Marcus Kruger in the fifth minute. Kris Versteeg got the only shot on goal as the Penguins negated the man advantage.

Pittsburgh got a loose puck in front of Corey Crawford in the seventh minute but the Hawks goalie covered it up. Forty seconds later, Ben Smith made a nice pass to Kruger only to have Marc-Andre Fleury made a nice save on Kruger’s shot attempt.Continue reading »

After dropping three straight contests, including an overtime loss last night in Montreal, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Edmonton Oilers in hopes of picking up a win for the first time in over a week. Despite falling behind early Sunday and giving up a freak short-handed goal, Chicago prevailed with a 5-3 win.Continue reading »

After cruising to a five-goal victory over Colorado, the Chicago Blackhawks traveled to St. Louis to tangle with another pesky Central Division foe Saturday night. Like the night before, the Hawks got out to an early lead. However, the contest unfolded a bit differently when all was said and done.

Chicago surrendered two-goal advantages twice, including allowing the Blues to tie the game with two goals in the last few minutes of regulation. St. Louis treated their fans at the Scottrade Center to a come-from-behind triumph, handing the Blackhawks a 6-5 shootout loss.

First Period-Chicago camped out in the offensive zone in the first period and soon began raining rubber on Blues starter Jaroslav Halak. Duncan Keith got in close for a slap shot in the fourth minute that Halak knocked away.Continue reading »

The Chicago Blackhawks were held out of the net for over 20 minutes Wednesday night. At that point, the Hawks offense shook off a sloppy first period, scorched the Philadelphia Flyers for five second-period goals and cruised to a 7-2 victory.

Seven different Blackhawks found the back of the Flyers net as Chicago won their third straight behind rookie goalie Antti Raanta. Last year’s back-up goalie, Ray Emery, had his homecoming ruined as the Hawks burned him for a six-pack of goals.

First Period-The tone was set early as Wayne Simmonds laid a hit on Duncan Keith in the left corner of the Blackhawks zone. In came Wade Brookbank to engage Simmonds barely ninety seconds into the contest.Continue reading »